France Contemplates Digital Verification for Adult Content
The French government is debating a shift toward a more centralized age verification system for online adult content. In recent statements, officials referenced the year 2023 as a turning point in protecting minors from explicit material on the internet. Deputy Minister for Digital Transition Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated to Le Parisien that a new approach aims to end the current loopholes that let younger audiences access pornographic pages. This plan, discussed in a nationally noticed interview, signals a bold move toward stricter age controls on digital platforms.
France currently relies on simple age checks, such as a user entering a birth date or confirming they are over 18. Critics note that these prompts can be bypassed easily, including by minors who press through the prompts or misrepresent age. The authorities argue that this is an inadequate safeguard and that a more reliable system is needed to prevent minors from viewing explicit content online.
Digital certificate planned for September
Barrot described a forthcoming digital certificate designed to verify legal age before access to pornographic sites. The certificate would be required to enter adult pages and would be accessible only to individuals 18 and older. Users would confirm their age by interacting with a digital verification tool, similar in concept to security confirmations used in banking apps for money transfers or card payments. The plan envisions a September rollout, subject to approval by the Council of State and the European Commission.
France positions itself as the first country to propose such a solution. Yet the policy faces challenges, including safeguarding user identity while confirming age. The administration may partner with telecoms and internet providers, which hold customer data, to issue age-verification certificates. This approach raises questions about privacy, data security, and the potential for misuse by bad actors.
Potential expansion beyond porn sites
If the system proves effective, officials are considering extending the framework to other online content categories. Prospective applications include online betting portals and beverage sales, where age restrictions are already common. The idea also raises questions about how social networks and video platforms, where age checks are often minimal or absent, would be impacted.
France points to international precedents as part of its rationale. The United States and the United Kingdom are referenced as examples of regimes seeking greater control over online access to sensitive material. In the United States, some states have explored identity-presence requirements for viewing explicit content, while the United Kingdom has debated safety-focused measures aimed at strengthening age verification across digital services.
Policy advocates argue that a robust age-verification system could reduce exposure of minors to adult content while balancing user privacy and the practicality of enforcement. Opponents caution about overreach, potential errors, and the risk of locking legitimate users out of content they should be allowed to access. The debate continues as France weighs technical feasibility, regulatory alignment, and citizen acceptance.